Ketchikan Travel GuideA jewel of the temperate coastline of southeast Alaska is the city of Ketchikan, the southernmost city of any size and the first port of call for cruise lines navigating the Inside Passage. Spilling down the flanks of the mountains to the edge of the Inside Passage, Ketchikan sits on Revillagigedo Island and was once the site of a Tongass and Cape Fox Tlingit Indian fishing village. Ketchikan comes from the word "Kitschk-hin". Its translation is unclear, but guesses at its meaning vary from the simple "the river belonging to Kitschk" to the romantic "Thundering Wings of an Eagle." Ketchikan's outstanding collection of totem poles and native art speaks of its native heritage. Ketchikan is proudly known as the "Salmon Capital of the World" and plays host to several large salmon fishing tournaments each year. In 1883, a salmon saltery was built along the banks of Ketchikan Creek. By 1900, with a saltery, a general store and a cannery, Ketchikan was officially incorporated. Mining began in the area soon after, with more than two-thirds of those wages ending up in area saloons and bordellos. Mining eventually declined and logging operations began in the area. Ketchikan Spruce Mills was established supplying thousands of jobs to the area. Now, logging is declining and tourism has become one of the main stays of the economy. The over 7,000 year-round residents of Ketchikan measure their rainfall in feet - over fifteen feet - rather than inches, giving Ketchikan the reputation of the rainiest place in Alaska. But rain doesn't dismay the more than 800,000 cruise ship passengers that visited Ketchikan in 2007. Thirty-six ships from ten different cruise lines docked in Ketchikan's port last year, sometimes as many as six per day, to take advantage of the city's unique history, beautiful location, mild climate and shopping district. Infamous Creek Street was once the heart of Ketchikan's red light district and home to a thriving collection of brothels that catered to loggers, cannery workers and fishermen. Perched on piling over the water, these same buildings now house brightly painted shops and boutiques with a variety of Alaskan and native arts and crafts. Considered the center of the shopping district, Creek Street offers a large selection of souvenirs from velvet scarves to hand carved totems. Other Locations of Interest Nearby:
KETCHIKAN QUICK FACTS Population: 7,300 KETCHIKAN VISITOR INFORMATION Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce City of Ketchikan READ UP ON KETCHIKAN In 2006, 36 cruise ships carrying more than 830,000 passengers made 503 stops in Ketchikan. KETCHIKAN SIGHTSEEING Totem Bight State Historical Park Totem Heritage Center Saxman Native Village Totem Pole Park Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center Tongass Historical Museum Creek Street KETCHIKAN HOTELS AND OTHER LODGING Best Western Landing Cape Fox Lodge Salmon Falls Resort Black Bear Inn The Narrows Inn Captain's Quarters B & B Eagle Heights B & B New York Hotel/The Inn at Creek Street Ketchikan has the highest zip code in the United States for post office boxes - 99950. KETCHIKAN FOOD AND DRINK Dai Sho Gun Eagles Club / Halibut Hole The Alaskan Fish House Bar Harbor Restaurant Burger Queen Diaz Cafe Good Fortune Chinese Restaurant Ocean View Restaurante INTERNET ACCESS Ketchikan Public Library Surf City Internet Cafe The Edge (coffee shop) Seaside Trading KETCHIKAN TRANSPORTATION Sourdough Cab - (907) 225-5544 AUTO RENTALS Alaska Car Rental KETCHIKAN AIRPORT Ketchikan International Airport Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of standing northwest totem poles? FISH AND GAME Alaska Fish & Game Department FOREST SERVICE Tongass National Forest HOSPITAL Ketchikan General Hospital
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